ROLLING MEADOWS, IL (September 17, 2012) – Charles Industries, Ltd. today announced that Fred Kolacki has joined the company as National Sales Manager – Marine Group effective immediately.

Kolacki’s responsibilities include coordination and management of Charles’ worldwide marine sales representative team. In addition, he will lead and oversee implementation of strategic sales and customer development to achieve profitable growth and market share objectives with Charles’ Marine OEM, distribution, and retail customers. He will also be responsible for driving pricing strategy and marketing plan development and execution, while also providing leadership and input to new product development and design.

Kolacki brings extensive experience in marine AC and DC electrical systems, customer development, marketing, product development, and manufacturing experience to his new position. Prior to joining Charles, Kolacki worked at Novatron Corporation, a global manufacturer of custom instrument switch panels, control panels, AC/DC distribution panels and electrical wiring harnesses for the marine and specialty vehicle industries. His areas of expertise include strategic business planning and implementation, business development, product design and development, thermo plastics molding and forming, injection and rotational molding, and production processes.

“Fred is a significant and welcome addition to our team,” stated David Wyrick, business unit director for Charles’ Marine & Industrial Group. “His knowledge and experience with boat manufacturers and distribution channel partners, in addition to his extensive background in design, development and manufacture of AC/DC distribution and electrical wiring systems will allow Charles to better serve our customers and support our mission to be the supplier of choice for innovative AC and DC electrical products.”

Kolacki earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Product Design from Southern Illinois University and has served the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) as a member of the Technical Committee and Educational Committee Chair.

About Charles Industries, Ltd.

2012 marks Charles Industries’ 44rd year as a privately held, diversified manufacturing and technology company serving telecommunications, wireless, CATV, utilities, marine and industrial markets. Founded in 1968, the company is ISO 9001:2008 and TL 9000 registered and headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, with four additional U.S.-based manufacturing centers.

Charles Marine & Industrial Group is a provider of high quality, innovative AC and DCelectrical products, including battery chargers, inverters, isolation and boosting transformers, ship-to-shore cable products, onboard communications systems and industrial transformers. Charles products are used by OEMs and distributed by retailers worldwide. For further information, please visit www.charlesindustries.com or call (847) 806-6300.